Vineland, NJ Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

City Code § 224-70 requires every cat over seven months of age within the municipal limits to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, with exemptions for catteries, research facilities, veterinary establishments, and shelters. Section 224-71 sets the mechanics: an owner must apply for a license and tag or sleeve within 10 days of acquiring a cat of licensing age, display the tag on a collar, and renew annually by March 31; the fee schedule prints $10 for a spayed or neutered cat and $18 for one that is not, with a $3 late fee added after the last day of March.

A cat brought into Vineland from another state and kept over 90 days, or an unlicensed cat kept over 10 days, must also be licensed. Section 224-71.1 caps ownership at six licensed cats per residence, exempting kennels, shelters, and pet shops, and § 224-71.2 charges cattery operators $10 or $25 a year depending on capacity plus a $500 plan-review fee and $100 reinspection fee. Violations under § 224-72 draw a fine of $50 to $500, with an added $50 penalty if the cat is not spayed or neutered and escalating $50 add-ons for second and third offenses.

Separately, Article VII lets nonprofit sponsors approved by the Mayor and City Council run a Trap-Neuter-Return program for feral colonies: § 224-83 permits the colonies while letting the City cap how many operate, and § 224-85 requires the sponsor to register colonies, train caregivers, and report quarterly on colony counts and spay/neuter numbers to the City.